My Calendar

Events in February 2021

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
01/02/2021(1 event)

World Hijab Day


01/02/2021

On February 1st of every year, World Hijab Day Organization asks global citizens of all faiths and backgrounds to wear the Hijab (head-covering) for a day in solidarity with Muslim women worldwide. The motto for World Hijab Day 2020 is “Unity in Diversity” with the hashtag #EmpoweredInHijab.

The overall mission of WHD is to create a more peaceful world where global citizens respect each other. Particularly, WHD focuses on fighting bigotry, discrimination, and prejudice against Muslim women. This is most crucial in these times where Hijab is being banned in some countries while in other countries, Muslim women are being targeted and harassed verbally and physically.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Loving God,

we pray for all who choose to wear the hijab as an expression of faith and identity;

that they will be shown understanding and respect.

We pray, too,  for a world where diversity is embraced

and peace, justice and equality are the norm.

 

We pray this in your holy name. AMEN 

02/02/2021(1 event)

The Presentation of the Lord


02/02/2021

03/02/2021
04/02/2021(1 event)

Birthday of Rosa Parks


04/02/2021

This is a biographical video (3:16) of Rosa Parks.

This a longer video (11:28) which is an excellent resource (part of the BBC Teach series) - well worth spending a few days of Sacred Time exploring this.

 

A PRAYER FOR TODAY (CLICK HERE for a 1:00 video of this prayer)

Loving God,

We give thanks for the life of Rosa Parks who sat down for justice,

so millions of others could stand up in dignity.

 

We are thankful for her generous spirit and quiet courage

that gave hope to so many.

 

She remains a role model for us,

reminding us what one person can do

to challenge injustice in a peaceful way.

 

We do not know what impact our words and actions may have.

But may we, like Rosa, take those small steps

that can open the way to a better world.

 

We pray this in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. AMEN

05/02/2021
06/02/2021
07/02/2021
08/02/2021(1 event)

Special Day of Prayer for Victims of Trafficking (St Josephine Bakhita)


08/02/2021

The Catholic Church designates February 8 as an annual day of prayer and awareness against human trafficking.

February 8 is the feast day of St. Josephine Bakhita, who was kidnapped as a child and sold into slavery in Sudan and Italy.   Once Josephine was freed, she became a nun and dedicated her life to sharing her testament of deliverance from slavery and comforting the poor and suffering. She was declared a Saint in 2000.

On February 8, Catholics all over the world are encouraged to host or attend prayer services to create greater awareness about this phenomenon.

Here's a video (3:24) telling her life story.

 

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

St. Josephine Bakhita, you were sold into slavery as a child

and endured untold hardship and suffering

but you found new hope in Jesus.

 

We pray that you assist all those who are trapped in a state of slavery;

Speak with God on their behalf so that

they will be released from their chains of captivity.

Those whom some humans enslave,

let others with God's strength set free.

Provide comfort to survivors of slavery
and let them look to you as an example of hope and faith.

Help all survivors find healing from their wounds.

 

We pray this in your Holy Name.

AMEN

09/02/2021
10/02/2021(1 event)

Feast day of St. Jose Sanchez del Rio


10/02/2021

St. José Luis Sanchez del Rio

José Sanchez del Rio was born in the western Mexican state of Michoacan de Ocampo, on March 28th, 1913.

For many years, Mexico had been embroiled in a nasty internal conflict between the Catholic Church and the State government. As a result, war erupted between the Catholics and the state in 1926. The war became known as the “Cristero War,” named by faithful Catholics for “Christ the King,” It lasted three years.

José emerged as an unlikely hero and eventual martyr of the struggle, sacrificing his life as a witness to his Catholic faith. José begged his mother to allow him to join his brothers as a soldier in supporting the Catholic efforts. She refused but he persisted.

Even at his tender age, José possessed a remarkable faith. When his mother relented, the boy performed menial tasks for the Cristeros forces. His dedication to Christ the King never wavered: despite governmental prohibition of the public practice of religion, José attended Mass whenever possible, received Holy Communion and never hesitated to proclaim his faith.

During one battle, a Cristero leader, General Guizar Morfín, lost the horse he was riding to enemy fire. Young José offered his own horse to the General to prevent his capture by federal troops but, in the process, was himself apprehended. The anti-Cristeros soldiers imprisoned and violently tortured him.

Efforts to free him proved unsuccessful. José prayed the Rosary daily throughout his imprisonment. Upon transfer to another prison, José was told he would be executed for his unbending dedication to his faith. He received the news with the courage of his religious convictions. As his captors beat him mercilessly, he could be heard praying “Long live Christ the King! Long live Our Lady of Guadalupe!”

They took his shoes and removed the skin from the bottom of his feet, forcing him to walk to the cemetery, barefoot and bleeding, where soldiers repeatedly stabbed him.

He refused to reject his faith in order to spare his own life. José Sánchez del Río was shot twice and his martyred body was thrown into an open grave on February 10th, 1928, one month short of his 15th birthday.

On October 16th 2016, Pope Francis canonised José Sánchez del Río a saint. His feast day is February 10th.

 

 

Loving God,

we give thanks for the faith and courage of St. Jose.

When our faith wavers, strengthen us.

When times are hard, comfort us.

When all seems lost, inspire us.

We pray this in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. AMEN.

 

St. Julie: pray for us, protect us and bless us.

 

 

11/02/2021(2 events)

Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes


11/02/2021

This is a nice introduction to what happened in Lourdes (3 mins 51 secs)

Our Lady is special to us at St. Julie's not least because Our Lady was special to St. Julie - so much so that she named the congregation of nuns she founded as the Sisters of Notre Dame after her. Notre Dame is French for Our Lady.

You're invited this day especially to pray the Hail Mary available here as a video.

12/02/2021(1 event)

Chinese New Year 2021


12/02/2021

2021 is the Year of the Ox!

Here's a video (3:25) retelling the tale of the race which underpins the Chinese New Year! 

The Ox is the second of all zodiac animals. According to one myth, the Jade Emperor said the order would be decided by the order in which they arrived to his party. The Rat tricked the Ox into giving him a ride. Then, just as they arrived at the finish line, Rat jumped down and landed ahead of Ox, becoming first.

In Chinese culture, the Ox is a valued animal. Because of its role in agriculture, positive characteristics, such as being hardworking and honest, are attributed to it.

Oxen are seen as hard workers in the background, intelligent and reliable, but never demanding praise.

The most recent Rat Years are: 2009, 1997, 1985, 1973, 1961, 1949!   Check out with your family who fits into this category!

 

A PRAYER FOR TODAY   (Here it is in a 1 minute video)

Loving God,

We thank you that, in all cultures,

the New Year means a chance for a fresh start and a new beginning. 

We pray especially for our Chinese brothers and sisters as they celebrate Chinese New Year. 

We pray for peace and love across the world and all cultures.

Help bring prosperity, hope and joy throughout this New Year for all who celebrate it.

 

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ.  AMEN.

13/02/2021
14/02/2021(1 event)

Special Day of Prayer for the Unemployed


14/02/2021

A PRAYER FOR THIS DAY

Loving God – we are created to live lives of dignity and worth – and yet the structures of societies deny so much to so many.

We pray particularly this day for those who are unemployed – for those who are struggling to make ends meet – for those who are exploited, put at risk, disregarded or taken advantage of by business structures and models – for those whose gifts and attributes are not recognised and rewarded.

Help us to appreciate that while our worth is not to be measured in monetary terms – we do all deserve an equitable share of the world’s wealth and resources.

Help us – your children – sisters and brothers in one worldwide family – to work towards that day when all experience the sense of dignity and worth we deserve. Give us wisdom and tenacity to see and understand the roots of injustice and the strength and courage to strive to eliminate them!

We ask this in your holy name. AMEN

15/02/2021
16/02/2021
17/02/2021(1 event)
18/02/2021(1 event)
19/02/2021(1 event)
20/02/2021(1 event)
21/02/2021(1 event)
22/02/2021(2 events)

Feast of the Chair of St. Peter


22/02/2021

23/02/2021(1 event)
24/02/2021(1 event)
25/02/2021(1 event)
26/02/2021(1 event)
27/02/2021(1 event)
28/02/2021(1 event)